UPDATE: Giants very close to Beltran deal

A lot of boxes need to be checked, in Brian Sabean’s words, before a Beltran deal can be completed. Beltran must sign off on the deal because he has a no-trade clause, and a source just told me that has not happened yet.

Once Beltran signs off, then Bud Selig must give his okey-diddly-dokely if the Mets send the Giants more than $1 million to cover Beltran’s remaining salary. That seems to be the case.

A lot of reporters with sources in New York seem to think Zach Wheeler is the centerpiece of the deal. Everyone assumes he was an untouchable, but as Sabean told us recently, his list of untouchables may not be the same is ours.

Sabean also said he would be more open to a rental because of the Giants’ dire situation. Let’s face it. You can’t look at this team right now and say it can beat Atlanta, Philadelphia and Texas/New York/Boston in the postseason.

Sometimes, when you have a shot for the grand prize, you have to ease your principles. Sabean said he’d trade for a rental if he was a “difference-maker.” That’s exactly what Beltran can be.

I’ll provide updates as I get ’em.

ORIGINAL POST:

From The Chronicle Sports Desk:

A source familiar with the discussions just told Henry Schulman that a deal for the Giants to acquire Mets OF Carlos Beltran is very close to completion, with developments moving quickly today.

According to various national reports, the Giants would send to New York one or more of their top prospects, possibly including first-round draft choices P Zach Wheeler and OF Gary Brown.

Beltran, a switch-hitter who is eligible for free agency after the season, would give the Giants’ offense a significant boost for the rest of the regular season, particularly during the current stretch of 19 games against playoff contenders.